“When the project succeeds, I’ll give you a bonus worth 10% of market value.”
To cheers, we accepted his promise.
After endless sleepless nights, we finally delivered the project on time, bringing the company profits of over $100 million.
But when it was time to distribute bonuses, Richard kicked us out and denied his own promise.
As team leader, I couldn’t swallow that insult and fought him head-on.
Eventually, he reluctantly handed out the bonuses.
I thought it was over, but he clearly had been waiting for another excuse to take that money back.
In truth, out of the $10 million, I only kept $300,000. The rest I shared with my employees.
For me, millions was already an astronomical figure.
I tried to calm my anger and reason with him.
“Richard, that $10 million bonus was divided among my team. I only received $300,000.”
“You’re just trying to make things difficult for me, aren’t you?”
Richard slammed the desk, making it shake.
“Sophia Anderson, don’t think that just because you were a founding partner who built this company with me, I can’t touch you.”
“The $9 million stays. Not a cent less. If you don’t have it, pack up and leave.”
“This company can run with or without you.”
I suddenly realized Richard was no longer the man who once fought side by side with me.
Clutching the fine notice, I said calmly,
“Fine. I’ll pay the $9 million. If you want me gone, I’ll go.”
Then I turned and dialed a competitor’s number.
“Ethan Walker, I’m offering you a billion-dollar project and a full R&D team. Interested?”
I heard a loud crash from his side of the line.
“You… say that again?”
“A billion-dollar project, plus a full research team.”
“In exchange, give me a Chief Engineer position at your company. And once the project succeeds, I want a $9 million bonus.”
There was a pause.
“Sophia, are you joking with me? You’re the lifeline of Skyline Technologies, a legend in the industry. Richard would never let you go.”
“Cut the nonsense. Just tell me—will you take me and my team or not?”
“Of course! Absolutely!”
Within a minute, Ethan sent me a Vice President onboarding link.
“Chief Engineer is beneath you. How about VP instead?”
“You’re one of Richard’s founding executives. You’ve been with him since the start, through every city and deal. Companies tried poaching you countless times and you never left. Why now?”
Memories surged, filling me with bitterness.